Tuesday, March 8, 2011 

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Located at Turtleback

Sponsored by:

Barron County Agriculture Promoters 

Banner Ad Space Available 

We have three banner ad spaces available for anyone of our members interested in having their ad on the Economic Development page on the Chamber's website. 

The cost is $50 a month (billed quarterly at $150), plus the one time set-up fee which depends on your ad.

If you are interested, please call the Chamber office at 715-234-2126

Momentum West Legislative Day and Superior Days

Both Momentum West's Legislative Day and Superior Days were schuduled for the end of February.  Momentum West's event was postponed until a later date due to the events taking place at the Capitol at the time.

Superior Days were held. Bert Richard along with Mayor Quinn reresented Rice Lake for this event.

Bert reported Superior Days had about 250 people participating.  Most of the concerns and lobbying by members were related to problems with state support of the operations for the northern Wisconsin.  Many of the speakers were cancelled including Barry Alverez and Governer Walker.  None of the legislators attended the hospitality function on Tuesday evening.  The protests did effect the event.

The best meeting they attended was with Stephanie Collette, the new Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin.  She was former Miss Wisconsin and host of the tv show Discover Wisconsin.  She was very impressive.

Thank you to Mayor Quinn and Bert for attending on behalf of Rice Lake.

Proposed Local Fisheries rule Changes for

 Rice & Stump Lakes

In 1987, muskellunge stocking was initiated in Rice and Stump Lakes.  The two lakes are connected by a navigable channel, and fish movement between the two lakes is unrestricted.  Over the past several years, Rice Lake has been known by anglers as a good quality muskellunge water in northwest Wisconsin.  A recent 2007 fish survey indicated that Rice Lake has a very low density muskellunge population, but harbors a high quality muskellunge fishery.  More specifically, 50% fish captured for the survey measured more than 40 inches and 16% of the fish captured measured more then 45 inches.  Three fish were near 50 inches in length. 

With the recent increase in popularity of the new muskellunge fishery and the low densities of fish present in Rice Lake, the department and the muskellunge anglers are concerned that the existing 40-inch size limit will not preserve and maintain this unique fishery as its popularity continues to spread.

Considering the excisting low density fishery, the ability for Rice lake to produce muskellunge that approach 50 inches in length, and that fish movement and angler travel travel between Rice & Stump lakes are unrestricted, it is recommended that the minimum size limit be increased from 40 to 50 inches to preserve and maintain this rather new, but unique muskellunge fishery.